SSC Rabbinical Conference in Crete

The Shehebar Sephardic Center (SSC) held a three day rabbinical conference in which 17 rabbis from 11 countries gathered to discuss 21st century problems faced by Diaspora rabbis. The rabbis—graduates of the SSC—hailed from Spain, Portugal, Greece, Italy, Bulgaria, Macedonia, Turkey, Columbia, the Philippines, Israel and the United States.

The program was part of the SSC Alia BenDayan Maman z”l Sephardic Heritage Program, designed to develop unity among Sephardic rabbis. Rabbi Ezra Kassin, son of Rabbi Shlomo ‘Sam’ Kassin, SSC Dean, arranged for dynamic speakers including Rabbi David Bassous, Rabbi Shimon Alouf and Ricky Cohen.

In his opening remarks, Rabbi Ezra Kassin emphasized that only the words that come from a rabbi’s heart and soul can enter the hearts of his community.
Rabbi Bassous spoke of the importance of helping students build on their strengths so they can excel. He asked why young people are not interested in participating in Judaism lessons. He stressed that yeshivah education allows for increased reading comprehension, striving to learn the truth, and a commitment to halakha; concluding that in order to keep young people interested, a solution must be identified.

Rabbi Shimon Alouf inspired the rabbis with a lecture on rabbinical leadership. He said that in order to inspire the Jewish people, we must be open and love them for who they are and avoid being judgmental. This allows people to be open to ideas and for the seeds of Torah to be planted in their souls. He said that we must return to a simpler understanding of emunah (faith), teach the principles of faith, and instill a trust in Hashem in this generation.

Rebbetzin Alouf spoke about two ways of working with women— one-on-one talks and conferences. “We have to learn to handle the new role women play in promoting Judaism in their families and communities.” She added that people should be spoken to from the depth and the truth of one’s heart. “It’s very important to check what kind of energy you bring when you speak to people. If you do that, the chances for your success are 95%!” She is sure that her influence within the community comes from her personal example.

Community member Ricky Cohen spoke of practical ways we can inspire people to face future challenges—good leadership will make the world a better place. He shared financial and educational wisdom.

“Nowadays, young people create companies from scratch and earn millions of dollars! The secret of the big money is not in the richness of the company but in the imagination and the idea, the creativity and daring of its people,” he said. “The new currency is knowledge and study. In order to reach important changes, long-term commitment is needed. The criterion of a project’s success is how it looks after 15 years.”
He added, “Difficulties and declines are necessary and cannot be prevented. To overcome them and to survive we have to remember what our Sages said: ‘The world was created for me.’”

Mr. Cohen explained his idea using a comparison between a good factory worker and a community rabbi. “A factory worker who fulfills his duty properly but never takes risks or changes things is a good worker. However, a community rabbi who functions like the factory worker will not be criticized or fired, but something worse will happen—he will lose the dream! The Shehebar Sephardic Center is a place where rabbis are taught to be leaders, not workers. When people are busy imitating others and not being themselves, they are remote from reality and are able to develop a good relationship neither with themselves nor with the Creator. Through the development of self-awareness, Torah fundamentals like derech eretz kadma le-Torah (the desired behavior comes before the Torah) are developed implicitly,” he concluded.

Rabbi Sam Kassin, SSC Dean, expressed concern that technology, which brings unlimited possibilities, also has a negative impact. Despite the development of improved communications, there is a terrible lack of communication between people, many of whom cannot conduct a simple conversation without a misunderstanding.

The SSC thanks the sponsors of the Mediterranean Rabbinical Conference.

Rabbi Ezra Kassin is developing a new program that will enable rabbis, and community leaders, to connect with each other, share ideas, and find assistance in addressing Diaspora issues.

By Sarina Roffe, executive director of the Shehebar Sephardic Center.